i realize that for a $40 shipped tarp i'll probably end up getting what i pay for, but i thought i'd check and see what the experts think before pulling the trigger. does anyone use a chinook tarp? is 14 x 12 too large?

i really want a SWT and even though they're on sale, i just don't have the discretionary funds available right now.

I guess it depends on your intended use - polyurethane tarps are usually quite a bit heavier than silnylon, so if you're backpacking maybe not so ideal. Should be fine for car camping, though.

12-16-2009, 11:02

ih8mice

how does polyurethane stack up against silnylon in terms of durability and waterproofness?

are the only downsides weight/packing size?

12-16-2009, 11:40

JayS

An observation or two:
The Chinook is polyester so you shouldn't have stretching when wet. The size is BIG - meaning plenty of room and you can set it up like a SWT... but it will be heavy and a beast in wind. Would be good for hunkering down with a friend or two.

Polyester is usually as or more durable than nylon. It usually is more UV stable than silnylon. I have one polyester tarp and it is very "waterproof" but I don't know the exact coating on it. With a 2000mm coating, you should be VERY water resistant - I wouldn't worry about that. Silnylon is also "only" water resistant but is fine for all but the worst rain. The silnylon tarp in the ad above looks like it silicone coated on 1 side, not silicone impregnated. It also has a 2000mm polyurethane coating so it is not super light like normal "SilNylon" but it probably more water resistant if not water proof. In the case of the tarps above, weight and packability are probably the most significant differences although it is hard to tell without a listed weight or fabric weight.

Polyurethane is a coating and is therefore less durable in the long run then silicone when it is impregnated into the fabric. I would imagine a silicone coating to be about as durable as a polyurethane coating.

12-16-2009, 12:12

ih8mice

great stuff...thanks for the input.

i think i'm going to give it a try

12-16-2009, 12:20

Mrprez

Yikes: Unit Weight: 3 lbs

12-16-2009, 12:21

ih8mice

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrprez

Yikes: Unit Weight: 3 lbs

i saw that too but then when looking on amazon i noticed a ship weight of 1.3lbs???

If you want something lighter and more comparable to the SWT, check out the BWD Winter Dream, version 2. It is 13'x10' and can also be closed on both ends. In fact, each side has 3 set of mitten hooks that can be locked to close them off as well as loops to stake to the ground. It comes in at just around 21oz.

I got mine last week and the craftsmanship is amazing.

BONUS: It is on sale right now.

12-16-2009, 13:29

gargoyle

At $40 you really can't go wrong, you could always sell it later or keep it for a spare tarp, or for friends to use. Get it.

12-16-2009, 14:27

sclittlefield

Even if it is a little heavy - it would be a great car camping tarp. Excellent for over the picnic table to keep the whole crew playing cards well into the rainy night. :)

I wonder if their Silicone tarps are made with the same material that Sea to Summit is using for their dry sacks - it's called Ultra-sil (different from the Ultrasil I use) and is coated silicone on one side and urethane on the other). Anyone know who manufactures that brand of silnylon? I'd like to get some to play around with and test.